Safety at the limit Tires for performance-tuned cars 2 CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE

For the world’s fastest cars

Ultra-ultra high performance (U-UHP) tires can be relied upon to maintain optimum performance levels at speeds of 360 km/h and above. A whole department at Continental is dedicated to developing bespoke tires for performance-modified vehicles from renown-ed manufacturers and brand tuners.

For those occasions when a high-end standard production car no longer cuts the mustard, an individually tuned model is the obvi- ous answer. Tuning specialists give customers something special. Not by adding individual tuning components to elevate a car above the masses, but by creating overall concepts tailored to the driver and featuring a finely balanced choreography of Developing these tires for the tuning sector is one of the most A tuned Porsche 911 Turbo S by edo competition set a details with exceptional performance as their aim. challenging jobs in the business. For example, while a Mercedes record-breaking speed of 341 km/h on ultra-ultra high “We see tuning companies as specialist manufacturers and SL 500 leaves the factory with an output of 455 hp, the tuned performance tires from Continental at the proving refiners,” says Henry Siemons, who heads up the Tuning variant offered by Brabus produces 850 hp. A tuner like Lorinser grounds in Papenburg. department at Continental. “These firms turn the most boosts the power of a Mercedes S-Class by almost 100 hp to powerful series-built models into even faster and, in many 530 hp and a BMW M6 with Competition Package offers 600 hp cases, even heavier cars. For this breed of vehicle you instead of the standard 450 hp. This is the sort of performance need tires that offer unbeatable dynamic performance and that can only be transferred safely onto the road by tires that safety – at speeds of up to 400 km/h.” offer the ultimate in performance. CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE 3

Pushing performance skywards The increase in performance is also reflected in top speeds: U-UHP and tuning: a growth market Where series-produced models are electronically limited to 250 km/h, the tuned versions are largely capped at 300 km/h. Sales in the U-UHP and tuning segment are experiencing uninterrupted global growth. In Europe, sales of 19-inch tires are But not all of these hyper-powerful models are fitted with forecast to exceed 4,500,000 units. And the outlook is also promising in the USA, Russia and China. speed governors. A Brabus-tuned roadster based on the Mercedes S 600 can hit a maximum 327 km/h, while specialist Porsche tuners 9ff offer 911s that can crack the 380-km/h mark on a test track. Market development for U-UHP tires in Europe

“We view our involvement in the high performance and tuning By tire sizes from 19 inches to 23 inches in Europe Growth 2014-2020 sector as a technological spearhead for tire development,” 5.000.000 19“-23“ 19“ 20“ >_ 21“ says Siemons. His colleague Andreas Krause, the Product 4.500.000 Development Manager responsible for the technical implemen- 4.000.000 +9% +8% +10% +14% tation of ultra-ultra high performance tires, adds: “Our work 3.500.000 makes us one of the company’s technological driving forces. 3.000.000 The U-UHP market in Constantly pushing back the boundaries of what is possible 2.500.000 in the tuning sector brings us a massive advantage in 2.000.000 Europe remains on a experience terms.” 1.500.000 positive track. 21-inch tires 1.000.000 Through its many years of involvement at the top end of tire and larger are seeing development, Continental has established itself as one of the 500.000 0 particularly strong growth. leading suppliers to car tuners in Europe and around the 19” 20” 21”+ world. Among the elite specialists who fit their modified cars with Continental tires are Abt, AC Schnitzer, Arden, Brabus, 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Heico, Lorinser, edo competition and TechArt, to name just some. At Continental these tuning companies have the same status as car manufacturers, as Siemons confirms: “Our customer relationships here are comparable with those So what are U-UHP tires? we maintain in the original equipment sector,” he says. Ultra-ultra high performance tires are designed primarily to deal with very high speeds and loads. And UHP tires are also U-UHP tires in series production: the SportContact 6 defined by size. After all, the larger the wheel rim, the lower the sidewall of a tire and the greater its stability and resilience. U-UHP tire sizes range from 19 to 23 inches.. It can take up to three years to develop an ultra-ultra high performance tire. “We ensure we bring our best experts together for every tuning project so we can meet the most ambitious goals,” explains Krause. Achieving the knowledge transfer required to get the best results and ensure the devel-opment and application of new technologies invariably means sharing ideas and collaborating across departmental boundaries. 4 CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE

For example, while Black Chili technology has its origins in the development of bicycle tires, it is also used in high-tech car tires. This innovative new rubber compound lies at the heart of treads whose Micro Flexibility Compound ensures optimum interlock- ing between tire and road surface – making for outstanding grip in dry or wet conditions. Other technologies for cars designed to be pushed to the limits include the new Aralon 350 material component and Force Vectoring for the development of opti- mum tread structures (see box on page 11).

In the new Continental SportContact 6, too, these technologies ensure for the first time that performance can be enhanced in all areas. “Normally, an increase in performance in one area will come at a cost elsewhere,” explains Krause. “There is a classic conflict between rolling resistance and braking performance, for example. In the SportContact 6, these conflicting interests have been overcome. This tire enhances dynamic performance while also maximising safety to an extent beyond any of our previous models,” sums up Siemons.

Approved for speeds of up to 350 km/h, the SportContact 6 has the highest speed rating of any series-produced tire in the Continental portfolio. So it serves as the ideal basis on which to develop tires for the models that emerge from the workshops of the tuning firms.

Tuning: a market with a big future Schnitzer AC Photo: Fast and heavy: Tuned SUVs, like the Range Rover by AC Schnitzer pictured here, present particularly stern challenges for tire developers. “Our aim in the tuning market is to provide the desired perfor- In addition to the high speeds these cars are capable of, the extra kilos they carry also need to be factored in. mance in impressive style and, in so doing, show that we have already got this sector well covered,” says Siemons. “The image The tuning market is heading for a lucrative future. Current buyers up to 30 years of age are particularly eager to set gains are huge and experience shows that the wider market ulti- revenues are stable or increasing globally. And the concept cars their cars apart from standard production models. Continental’s mately follows these trends.” And indeed, its innovations in the produced by the tuning companies are reaching ever larger commitment to the tuning sector therefore represents a sustain- U-UHP sector have ensured Continental is often one step ahead customer groups worldwide. The prognosis issued for China by able investment not only with regard to future cars, but also when it comes to the latest requirements in the replacement the VDAT – the car tuners’ association in Germany – is particu- when it comes to future customers. and original equipment (OE) sectors. “So if car manufacturers larly bullish; 56.2 percent of members surveyed are expecting choose to take up a specific development from the tuning growth here. Confidence is similarly high for the USA, where sector and feed it into their production models, Continental will 64.3 percent are expecting to see their sales grow. Japan and already have suitable solutions available. And if the tuning tires Russia are other markets where sales are on the up and up. we have developed become the first choice for a large number A VDAT survey of vehicle owners in Germany found that tuning of models in future, the resultant market volumes will more than is an attractive market here too, with 73 percent of drivers now justify our investment in tuning projects.” keen to invest more money in their cars again. Young new-car CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE 5

Highest safety rating for high speeds: The new Continental SportContact 6

Innovation leader and technology trailblazer Continental has laid down another significant marker in the tuning segment. Tuning aficionados unwilling to settle for second-best in the premium segment can now add the new SportContact 6 to their wish list. Steering precision is up by 14 percent over its predecessor (the ContiSportContact 5 P) and handling on dry surfaces shows an eleven percent improvement. Grip in track conditions is four percent better than before. And the new SportContact 6 raises the high bar set by its predecessor for overall performance in the wet by another two percent. In addition, mileage and ride comfort both see a seven percent improvement. Extreme performance and optimum safety at up to 350 km/h are the key attributes of the SportContact 6.

The SportContact 6 features new technologies in the shape of Black Chili, Aralon 350 and Force Vectoring (see box on page 11). The new tire emerged victorious in a test conducted by German magazine “AutoBild sportscars”, earning the verdict “exemplary”. And in the “best brands” readers’ survey carried out by “AutoBild” at the start of 2016, over half of the 60,000 respondents chose Continental in the “tires” category. Under the heading of “quality”, almost 70 percent of readers voted for Continental, while the company’s tires again came top as the best value for money.

Technological progress The performance characteristics Steering precision 114%

Handling • Exceptional handling on dry roads 111% 110% High speed

• Top marks for braking distance

• Improved mileage

• EU Tire Label: Handling Handling on Fuel efficiency = E at the limit 104% 102% wet roads Wet grip = A

SportContact 6 mileage 107% 107% Noise reduction ContiSportContact 5 P = 100% Interview Handling, stability and grip: U-UHP is a technology driver

Henry Siemons, Head of the Tuning department at Continental, and Andreas Krause, Head of Product Development U-UHP Tires, report on how new technologies are driven forward in the high-speed sector, how innovations are put to work and how development work for prominent specialist tuners benefits Continental’s own brand. CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE 7

Henry Siemons, Andreas Krause, why is there such a strong focus on the topic of U-UHP at Continental?

Andreas Krause: U-UHP is a market segment with exponential growth rates, even in almost saturated markets like those in Europe, for example. And even if the total number of cars is not rising in every single market, we are seeing a worldwide Henry Siemons heads up Andreas Krause is Product increase in the proportion of vehicles that run on U-UHP tires. the Tuning department Development Manager at Continental. U-UHP Tires at Continental. Henry Siemons: In regions where the automobile market is still growing, the proportion of modern vehicles that demand more from their tires is also larger. Then there’s the growth Which are the decisive national markets for the So developing U-UHP tires can also be a means that we ourselves are fostering. We don’t just observe and tuning sector and thus for U-UHP tires? of opening up and cornering new markets? follow trends, we actively drive them forward as well. In this respect we work closely with the tuning firms who we regard Henry Siemons: For the specialist tuners, Germany is one Henry Siemons: We always aim to be among the leaders in as specialist manufacturers. The extremely high standards in major market alongside the Americas – and the USA in the tuning sector, to tell the world: we’re here; this patch is this market demand technological developments that will in particular. Then come Russia and China – and India as well. already reserved. And when a new model, from Brabus, for future find their way into the volume market as well. This way, These specialist tuning firms operate worldwide, offering example, makes its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, we have already harnessed these technologies before the specific, customised solutions for the individual target groups. we aim to be present on the car with a technology-leading tire. volume markets start to demand them. For us that means our U-UHP tires always take account of This is a real image-building factor and gives our reputation a the particular requirements of the different markets. further boost. Which tuners and OEMs choose to rely on Continental’s expertise? In general, what kind of volumes of U-UHP tires Andreas Krause: The U-UHP department was created to do you manufacture? develop extremely high performance products – for tuners, Henry Siemons: I think we’re unique here in that almost all the the OEM sector and also the replacement business. Against renowned tuning firms are regular customers. They‘re almost Henry Siemons: In our highly specialised area we’re talking the backdrop of their value for our reputation and image, in all single-marque tuners who have been specialising for years about very different numbers from the OEM sector, for example. some cases profitability can take a back seat in these products. in cars from a single manufacturer and have built a reputation We engage in image-building projects through which we aim Development costs and efforts in this segment are compara- to match, as we have too. We work with these high-end tuning to show that we’re leading the field in the U-UHP segment, tively high and unit sales relatively low. But nevertheless, firms on an equal footing. even if only 100 or so of a particular tire are ever built. An tires in this high performance segment are highly profitable initial production volume of 500 units doesn’t sound too large, products. Andreas Krause: We supply virtually every OEM and for but you have to consider the price level we’re talking about many of them we are the biggest single supplier. Our regular here and the fact that these tires will only be destined for a But surely Continental’s reputation for U-UHP tires customers include names such as AMG, Audi with its Quattro single model in a single market. And then there’s the prospect doesn’t depend entirely on image transfer from models, and Porsche, too. that this product will find its way into standard production. performance-tuned cars? 8 CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE

Andreas Krause: There’s more to it than that. Through U-UHP we can also dive deeper into the technical topics involved and “Our motto demonstrate how our tires work from construction and materials to the molecular level. And these high aspirations are very much is quite part of the picture for Continental. We are out to show that our technologies, such as Black Chili or Aralon 350, lead to significant simply to improvements in performance. The end-users we’re dealing with here are passionate about cars and perfectly capable of assessing provide the the performance of their tires. These drivers can feel whether or not a tire is doing its job, and not just on public roads, either. The very best cars we’re talking about here are invariably the fastest and most tires for powerful models on the market; cars that also go racing. That’s why the DNA of our ultra-UHP tires includes race-bred genes. The the very SportContact 6 in particular takes this sporting focus to a new level compared to previous generations. best cars.”

Henry Siemons: Along with the major auto shows, tuning fairs are also significant events for us. Our discussions with visitors to our booth confirm time and again that tires figure high on the agenda for many sporty drivers. They‘re not just wear parts but hi-tech products without which safe dynamic driving would be impossible. Every component is optimised to What does the development process of a U-UHP tire look like? meet the demanding standards that car tuners set for their tires. Andreas Krause: Here we need to distinguish between Also the latest robot technology original equipment, tuning and replacement business. An is used for this. auto-maker invests a great deal of time in working with us to get every last detail of a tire just right for a new series pro- duction model. This collaboration is part and parcel of the a tire dealer, needs to work well on a variety of vehicles. What are the key characteristics that a U-UHP tire development process. It takes multiple optimisation loops and So our motto is quite simply to provide the very best tires must deliver for such high-powered cars? we work to a defined and binding set of specifications that list for the very best cars.. the subjective and objective properties of a tire. With a tuning Henry Siemons: Requirements in the tuning sector go well firm this may not necessarily be the case. This is where our How many people are involved in developing a U-UHP tire? beyond what we need to deliver for the replacement business. knowedge and our experience come into play. We take our Here, it’s all about attaining the perfect balance between very fastest tire and boost its performance even further. Andreas Krause: The department has a staff of twelve. high speeds, dynamic handling and the weight of the vehicle, The SportContact 6 is the ideal basis tire here. We study Along with product development, we’re also responsible for while always making absolutely sure that the car retains its carefully how it works on a specific performance-tuned car devising new technologies and processes that we also make unique character. and optimise it to meet precisely the specified performance available to other product development departments. This is characteristics. For our part, we aspire to ensure that our tires an interdisciplinary task that involves specialists from a wide Andreas Krause: U-UHP tires are above all geared to the refine a tuned vehicle even further. A tire for the replacement range of fields. From the material development stage via demands of extremely dynamic handling. And of course to business by contrast, that is to say, one that a driver buys from testing to production, U-UHP tires call for special solutions. delivering maximum safety, something Continental stands CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE 9

for and an area in which we know no compromise. The focus for us here is on steering precision, cornering stability, drift rigidity, grip and dynamic stability.

Which technological developments originated in the U-UHP sector?

Henry Siemons: Sometimes the new technologies and materials that our Research & Development people come up with amaze even us. Normally, an increase in performance in one area will come at a cost elsewhere. There is a classic con- flict between rolling resistance and braking performance, for example. Through technologies such as Black Chili or Aralon 350, we’re now in a position to enhance even two opposing characteristics in a single product. In the SportContact 6 we were able to deliver a simultaneous improvement in all performance characteristics compared to its predecessor.

Andreas Krause: Working at the very leading edge of technol- ogy as we do, the value of the experience you gain is enor- mous. And we make sure that’s reflected in our other products for the original equipment and replacement sectors. It’s not just about new materials and technologies here but about new production processes as well. There are levels of quality that you can only reach with special machines and technologies.

Which Continental plants are in a position to manufacture U-UHP tires? Dynamic driving in all weathers: Henry Siemons: With the new HPTC, our High Performance whole new level. New production options using machinery The primary focus may be on Technology Center in Korbach, Germany, we’ve now got a that is specifically designed for the U-UHP segment and suit- dynamic handling and cornering plant that can produce short runs of tires – a kind of specialist able for short production runs create opportunities for us that stability, but in the U-UHP segment tire production shop for very special applications that we can were previously unthinkable. All of which presents us with too this is never achieved at the experiment with in the high-tech segment. Like when we’re decisive advantages. All the achievements that went into the expense of safety. dealing with new material compounds or constructions. We SportContact 6 as a standard production tire are going to be then try to transfer the knowledge that we acquire here to taken forward, enhancing every performance characteristic of other production sites, as well. our tires without getting caught up in the classic conflicts, where an advance in one characteristic compromises another. Andreas Krause: Along with Lousado in Portugal and In this respect, the HPTC opens up whole new dimensions of Otrokovice in Czechia, the HPTC in Korbach will be our main tire development. U-UHP development location in future. We can work to the highest level of precision here and process supervision is at a (See also pages 13 to 15.) Maximum grip at molecular level U-UHP development is research work

A lot of research work goes into tire development in the ultra-ultra high performance sector. The engineers equip the tires with all kinds of high-tech features so that they can perform to the very best of their abilities. CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE 11

It’s the tires that put the power of a performance-tuned car with several hundred horsepower under the bonnet onto the road. But that’s not all, because it’s the tires that also ensure High-tech and innovation boost performance the car stays on track when cornering and comes safely to a halt on wet and dry roads. In this respect, the demands in the In recent years, Continental’s technicians and engineers have developed a large number of new technologies that can tuning sector go well beyond what’s required in the replace- give tire performance characteristics a significant boost. These technologies were initially used by U-UHP car tire ment market for standard production cars. We’re talking here developers and are now being utilised in the development of replacement and original equipment tires as well. The about speeds of 360 kilometres an hour and more. And it’s three most important technologies and materials have been given their own brand names and are quality features and these high-speed requirements that set the U-UHP tires apart USPs of Continental tires. from all the other tires in the Continental portfolio.

Tires like these offer performance characteristics and safety margins that clear the way for a sporty driving style. The engineers and developers who implement these challenging Patented by Continental, Black Chili technology with special grip resins is a high-grip projects at Continental have many years of experience and a compound that delivers optimum microflexibility. At the same time, fleeting atomic wide range of expertise between them. They can draw on bonds in the contact patch act like nanoscopic suction pads to ensure maximum knowledge gained from previous projects as well as from adhesion. Together, these two factors provide maximum grip in all directions when prototype development. braking, cornering, and accelerating on wet or dry roads.

Working closely with other departments and the research and development sector (R&D), they pursue new ideas and drive them to production readiness, with the aim of enhancing a tire’s performance even further. Andreas Krause, Product Force Vectoring technology uses the different tread elements of a tire to ensure Development Manager in the U-UHP team at Continental, says, optimal force transfer and maximum transmission of lateral forces. Tread blocks on “What our R&D people have come up with by way of new tech- the outside are connected to interlinked elements in a second row of blocks. This nologies and materials and what these translate into in terms way the blocks provide mutual support during fast cornering and can best transfer of performance enhancement, continues to impress even us.” the high lateral forces. The tread’s asymmetrical design increases the stability of the ribs, leading to a perceptible improvement in the translation of steering commands Adhesive interaction for more grip to the road.

In recent years, solutions have been found that improve indi- vidual performance characteristics, such as braking perfor- mance and acceleration, safe cornering stability, lower rolling The use of a new reinforcing material by the name of Aralon 350, specially resistance and mileage, but this has often been at the expense designed for the SportContact 6, increases the tire’s load-bearing capacity for of opposing characteristics. For example, if the braking perfor- high-speed driving. This synthetic textile fibre, in which two strands of high- mance was improved, this would lead to deterioration in the strength aramid are twisted together with a strand of flexible nylon, is embedded rolling resistance. Krause says, “Technologies such as Black in the rubber. Located beneath the tread, this endless cap ply acts like an Chili, Aralon 350 and Force Vectoring now enable us to boost additional steel belt, providing extra stabilisation to help deal with the enormous two opposing characteristics in one product. Compared to its centrifugal forces that are generated at very high speeds. predecessor, in the new SportContact 6 we’ve significantly increased all the performance characteristics at once. This marks a new era in tire development.” 12 CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE

“Black Chili is more than just a new rubber compound,” Krause new Continental SportContact 6, which also uses Black Chili, says. “Black Chili is a technology based on the latest findings “Technologies such as boasts a 14 percent improvement in steering precision com- in polymer and raw material research.” Newly developed pared with its predecessor. And while the ContiSportContact 5 synthetic rubbers are enriched with time-tested natural Black Chili, Aralon 350 P was already ranked in the high performance range, it has rubber to provide especially high performance compounds. since been possible to improve grip by a further five percent. By incorporating special grip resins and soot particles in the and Force Vectoring enable nanometre range, the product can be optimised for each At high speeds, extremely high centrifugal forces act on the specific application. us to boost two opposing carcass, so the sidewalls are highly stressed during even minor characteristics in one steering manoeuvres. The new Aralon 35 material was devel- At the molecular level, the new material is able to interlock oped to ensure that a tire remains reliable at speeds of over with the road surface at more points than conventional rubber product.” 350 kilometres per hour. We’re talking here about a reinforcing compounds. Krause explains, “At the same time, fleeting material. This synthetic textile fibre, in which two strands of atomic bonds in the contact patch act like nanoscopic suction high-strength aramid are twisted together with a strand of pads to ensure high adhesion. We utilise this increased flexible nylon, is embedded in the rubber. Located beneath the adhesive interaction between tire and road to create tread, this endless cap ply acts like an additional steel belt, maximum grip.” providing extra stabilisation to help deal with the enormous centrifugal forces that act on the tire at extremely high speeds. Stability for maximum precision This counteracts tire deformation and makes for added safety.

As a result, tires with the Black Chili compound reach a whole The optimum high-speed tread pattern new level of performance. Compared with conventional silica tires, Black Chili tires have on average 26 percent lower Another innovation is Force Vectoring technology with which rolling resistance and a 30 percent higher tire-to-road friction it is possible to determine optimum tread patterns depending coefficient (grip) and offer five percent higher mileage. The on which performance characteristics take priority. In the SportContact 6, different tread elements on the inside and outside of the tire and also in the centre deliver a perceptible Molecular level: improvement in handling. Central ribs provide optimum trans- Energy distribution mission of lateral forces which leads to better direct translation in the tread during of steering commands. Large tread blocks on the outside are force transfer is connected to interlinked elements in a second row of blocks. illustrated by the This way the tread blocks provide mutual support during fast colour patterns. cornering and can transfer the high lateral forces effectively. Black Chili enables The enormous experience gained during U-UHP tire develop- interlocking with ment and the pooling of skills pave the way for leaps in the road surface at development that come to be reflected in all other Continental the nano level, tires. ensuring optimum force distribution which increases the tire’s grip. The new HPTC in Korbach High-tech location for U-UHP development

At its Korbach plant, Continental has now officially opened the High Performance Technology Center which will be home to innovative production processes and new tire technologies. It will also focus on the production of short runs for the tuning market. 14 CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE

Despite declining numbers in the European new car market, the demand for ultra high performance (UHP) and ultra-ultra high performance (U-UHP) tires is increasing year on year. It’s a trend that Continental, as Europe’s largest rubber specialist, has been enthusiastically and actively involved in for many years. To expand its leadership position in this technologically extremely demanding segment, capacities are being further increased and more investment is being made in research and development. The High Performance Technology Center (HPTC) was built at Continental’s Korbach site in Germany in 2016, mainly to produce extremely sophisticated high-speed tires for performance-tuned sports cars and SUVs.

In all, Continental has invested more than €45 million in the HPTC. The new building is part of the “Vision 2025” investment program into which Continental has poured more than €2 bil- lion worldwide since 2011. Another example of forward-looking investment is the Automated Indoor Braking Analyzer (AIBA), the world’s first fully automated indoor tire testing facility at the company’s own Contidrom proving grounds north of Hanover, Germany. The ContiLifeCycle plant for the retreading of truck tires and rubber recycling in Hanover-Stöcken is also part of the program and shows how Continental is strategically expanding and consistently leveraging its technology leader- ship. Presenting the first U-UHP tire from the HPTC in Korbach, Germany: Head of the HPTC Georg Reichert, Plant Manager Lothar Salokat, Dennis Brümmer from the production team and Nikolai Setzer, Executive Board Member of Continental AG responsible for the Tire Division (from left). Latest generation of machinery

“With the HPTC in Korbach we now have an innovative site for HPTC, which has created around 60 new jobs, to manufacture material to the tires. “In the HPTC, we can use this technology to producing short runs, a kind of specialist tire production shop test tires and prototypes and to trial innovative production add a large number of different material compounds to the for very special applications that we can experiment with in methods. tread of a single tire. This means there are no longer any limits the high-tech segment,” explains Henry Siemons, Head of to the geometry and structure,” says Andreas Krause, Product Tuning at Continental. “This is the perfect place to put new In Korbach, which previously manufactured mainly tires for Development Manager for U-UHP tires. “We’re combining the material compounds and constructions into practice. The motorcycles and bicycles, as well as products for commercial conceptual approach with experimental possibilities which knowledge we acquire here will also be transferred to other vehicles, and where Black Chili technology has its origins in the provides the crucial advantage in U-UHP tire development.” production sites.” As a result, the entire product portfolio of the bicycle tire development department, 12,000 square meters of Tire Division stands to benefit from the new innovation centre space is now given over to machines designed for high-end On top of this, new approaches in development, such as the in Korbach. production. These include tandem mixers, which can be used to Predictor method, also are being pursued. This is a new efficiently manufacture individual rubber compounds, high- evaluation and measuring method which makes it possible to Some 350,000 U-UHP tires for sports cars and performance- precision tread extruders and various textile cutting machines. accurately calculate a tire’s properties while it is still at the devel- tuned models from specialist tuning firms will be produced Then there are the strip winding robots which are fitted with opment stage and involves detailed analysis of individual ele- here annually. Plans also foresee using the extremely flexible mini extruders that can be used to apply even minute strips of ments of the tire. CASE STUDY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE 15

The Korbach site and the HPTC

Korbach is one of the most important locations for Continental in Germany, and traditionally one of the company’s technology-leading locations worldwide. With the HPTC, Continental is extending its research and development department into the Korbach tire plant. In Korbach, which has a population of 24,000, Continental is one of the region’s key employers. It’s also from Korbach that Continental’s two-wheel tire production is managed inter-nationally. In addition, this corner of Germany also produces tires that are strictly prohibited on the country’s own roads: Studded tires are one of Korbach‘s specialities and even the highly critical Scandinavian trade press is regularly thrilled with their performance.

Continental at the Korbach site

• The ContiTech plant in Korbach produces over 185,000 meters of hose per day, enough to reach from the factory gates all the way The High Performance Technology Center opened on June 7, 2016: In future, U-UHP tires for customers from the tuning sector will be developed and to Cologne built at Continental’s Korbach plant. The plant can also handle short production runs. • Daily output of around 30,000 summer or winter tires for cars, vans and SUVs • Approximately 3,400 employees Advance analysis of performance characteristics our plant in Korbach.” Not only does the HPTC show that • Development and manufacture of motorcycle and bicycle tires Continental is upgrading the production of ultra high “Using this new measuring method and analysis of the charac- performance tires technologically, it also sends a signal to OE HPTC teristics,” Krause adds, “we can determine very accurately in customers that the company is driving forward technological advance which elements of a tire influence which performance progress in their interests, with a view to manufacturing even • €45 million investment characteristics. This works for determining not only grip levels better products in future. The expertise gained in U-UHP tire • 12,000 square meters but also a tire’s rolling resistance in different temperature development and at the high-tech site will be transferred to all • Around 350,000 ultra-ultra high performance tires a year for ranges or its mileage.” Continental tire plants and will have a positive impact on the the tuning market (sports cars and SUVs) company’s entire product portfolio. • 60 new jobs in the HPTC alone “With the HPTC we’re not only opening a new production facility, we’re basically extending our research and develop- ment department from Hanover into the Korbach tire plant,” ex-plains Lothar Salokat, Plant Manager in Korbach. “So the new HPTC is an important building block for the future of Kontakt/Ansprechpartner

Kai Rühling Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH Buettnerstraße 25, 30165 Hannover, Germany E-Mail: [email protected] Tel.: + 49 511 938 2370 www.conti-online.com www.facebook.com/continental www.ContiSoccerWorld.de

September 2016, front-page photo: AC Schnitzer